Oak Ridge Today

Kevin Hall named DOE Oak Ridge Office manager

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Kevin Hall

Kevin Hall

The U.S. Department of Energy has named Kevin Hall as the manager of its Oak Ridge Office. Hall has served as the office’s deputy manager since April 2013.

As manager, Hall oversees the Oak Ridge Integrated Support Center, which provides critical mission support services in the personnel, finance, budget, procurement, legal, security, and emergency management, and employee health and safety on a local and national level, a press release said.

Hall is also responsible for managing the 33,500-acre Oak Ridge Reservation. This function involves managing issues that impact areas surrounding Oak Ridge National Laboratory, East Tennessee Technology Park, and National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office, and leading projects that may affect multiple sites. [Read more…]

Larry Kelly, manager of DOE Oak Ridge Office, dies

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Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office since July 2012, has died.

“Words cannot describe the sadness we feel with the passing of Larry,” said ORO Deputy Manager Kevin Hall. “The loss of our leader is heavy on our hearts, but it is the loss of a friend that leaves an emptiness that will be difficult to endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Rubenia, and daughter, Kristyn. Anyone who spent time with him knew the admiration he had in his wife, and the pride he took in his daughter.

“During his tenure, I was always impressed with Larry’s emphasis on our people and our mission. It was the driving force behind all of his decisions, and it led to a workforce that cared for him very deeply. He made a lasting impact on the Oak Ridge Office and each one of us personally.” [Read more…]

City Council hosts Aug. 25 public meeting on Clark Center Park

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council will have a public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, August 25, to collect community input regarding the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city. The meeting will be held in the Municipal Building Courtroom, and it will be in lieu of the regularly scheduled monthly work session.

The DOE’s Oak Ridge Office is in the process of reviewing the agency’s land holdings across the Oak Ridge Reservation. The reservation is located within the city limits of Oak Ridge, and it includes Clark Center Park.

Clark Center Park (formerly known as Carbide Park) is an 80-acre parcel under consideration by DOE for possible transfer from federal ownership. The park area includes a swimming area along Melton Hill Lake, and incorporates two picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, a boat ramp, two ball fields, and also provides access to the Gallaher Bend Greenway. DOE spends about $300,000 per year to maintain the park.

In an August 4 letter to the city, DOE Oak Ridge Office Manager Larry Kelly said, “Given the park’s benefit to the citizens of Oak Ridge, the option we currently favor would be to transfer ownership to the city at no cost, provided that the property remains a recreational park asset for the public.” [Read more…]

DOE-Oak Ridge Office names diversity, employee concerns manager

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Moses Madera

Moses Madera

Moses Madera, a United States Air Force veteran, was recently named manager of diversity programs and employee concerns for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

In this job, Madera will serve as the principal staff adviser to the Office of Science in Oak Ridge and site managers on equal employment opportunity (EEO), diversity, affirmative employment, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), environmental justice, and reasonable accommodation programs, a press release said. Madera will also manage the employee concerns program.

“We are really fortunate to have someone of Moses’ caliber join our office,” said Larry Kelly, manager of DOE-ORO. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in EEO and diversity to the table, and we’re looking forward to his guidance and expertise in his new role on our leadership team.”

Madera comes to ORO most recently from the U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Keyport, Washington, one of Naval Sea Systems Command’s field activities, where he had been the deputy equal employment opportunity officer since 2012. While there, he was responsible for continuous improvement of the EEO, diversity, and special emphasis programs, along with ADR and reasonable accommodation programs. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Reservation’s emergency sectors to change

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TEMA realigns boundaries to improve response

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will issue revised emergency sectors for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Reservation on Wednesday. These sectors, labeled A-Y, determine which areas should take action if an event occurs at one of DOE’s sites locally. The new sector boundaries have improved correlation with roads, waterways, and recognizable landmarks.

“Knowing their emergency sectors will help residents better understand what to do when directed to take action by state or local emergency officials. Instructions pertaining to their safety will be issued by sector,” said Jim Bassham, TEMA director. “Periodic updates to emergency plans, like these changes, are part of TEMA’s normal review process.”

DOE and TEMA have been partners in a public information campaign aimed at the more than 50,000 people that live or work within a five-mile radius of Oak Ridge’s three main sites: the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and East Tennessee Technology Park. An updated version of a joint publication, “What to do if an emergency occurs on the Oak Ridge Reservation,” will be available on March 12. The booklet will be on DOE’s website for area residents to read and reference at http://science.energy.gov/isc/emergency-information/. [Read more…]

DOE Oak Ridge Office signs DOD National Guard and Reserve support statement

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DOE DOD Statement Signing

DOE-ORO Manager Larry Kelly, accompanied by retired Maj. Gen. Jack D’Araujo, ESGR Tennessee Area Chair, recently signs a Statement of Support with the Department of Defense Committee for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) affirming ORO’s support for its employees that serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office Manager Larry Kelly has signed a Statement of Support with the Department of Defense Committee for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, or ESGR. The statement affirms ORO’s support for its employees that serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

ORO Manager Larry Kelly, along with retired Maj. Gen. Jack D’Araujo, ESGR Tennessee area chair, and retired Brig. Gen. Jim Mungenast, vice chair for Tennessee’s DOD Committee for the ESGR organization, participated in the signing. [Read more…]

Legal official retires at DOE Oak Ridge Office

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Robert James

Robert James

Robert James, the assistant chief counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office, has retired after 25 years of federal service.

James served as the assistant chief counsel since 2009. In this position, he led a team of attorneys that are responsible for legal representation on environmental, regulatory, health and safety, real estate, and security matters across the Oak Ridge Reservation, a press release said. His team also provides legal representation for Nuclear Energy missions in Oak Ridge; Paducah, Ky.; and Portsmouth, Ohio.

“Rob’s extensive knowledge and experience in environmental law have been a tremendous asset to the Oak Ridge Office and those it services,” said Larry Kelly, manager of DOE-ORO. “His insight and recommendations aided our leadership teams in making the most informed and prudent decisions.” [Read more…]

Shewairy named to top administrative position at DOE’s Oak Ridge Office

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John Shewairy

John Shewairy

John C. Shewairy has been named assistant manager for administration for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

In this position, Shewairy is responsible for advising the ORO manager in the determination, approval, and execution of the policies, plans, and programs governing ORO administrative functions, a press release said. He serves as the principal administrative and operating official of the organization, managing a staff of about 50 employees for ORO’s administrative programs including federal and contractor human resources, public affairs, and facilities information and reservation management. He also maintains liaison and working relationships with other federal agencies and state and local governments. [Read more…]

David Allen named to top safety position at DOE’s Oak Ridge Office

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David R. Allen

David R. Allen

David Allen has been named assistant manager for Safety and Technical Services at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

In this federal senior executive service position, Allen will report directly to the ORO manager and will be responsible for managing the performance of technical support in the areas of environment, safety and health, or ES&H; quality assurance; and engineering provided to multiple DOE site offices nationwide under the control of the department’s Office of Science Integrated Support Center. [Read more…]

Kevin Hall named DOE Oak Ridge Office deputy manager

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Kevin Hall

Kevin Hall

The U.S. Department of Energy has named Kevin Hall as deputy manager for the Oak Ridge Office.

“In this role, Hall reports directly to the ORO manager, with responsibilities for the integration of operational and internal business activities, and serves as a focal point to address cross-cutting issues, internal initiatives, and continuity of leadership for the ORO,” a press release said.

“Kevin is an experienced executive with vast leadership and management skills,” said DOE-ORO Manager Larry Kelly. “He will be a huge asset to our operation, and I am excited to welcome him to our management team.” [Read more…]

DOE Oak Ridge Office awards $14 million contract for roads, grounds, maintenance

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Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office recently awarded a $14 million contract to Knoxville-based small business Environment, Safety, and Health Inc. for roads, grounds, and maintenance services on the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation.

“The Oak Ridge Reservation includes 105 miles of roads and thousands of acres of land that require upkeep, and maintaining their functionality is vitally important to our operations,” said DOE-ORO Manager Larry Kelly. “We require a responsive and professional organization to carry out this mission, and we have that with ES&H.”

ES&H Inc., the incumbent contractor since 2008, will continue to provide services in support of roads, grounds, and maintenance on the 33,500-acre Oak Ridge Reservation and will employ 18 people in support of the contract. [Read more…]

NSPS now provides security services at DOE sites in Oak Ridge

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National Strategic Protective Services LLC announced Monday morning that it now provides guard services at U.S. Department of Energy sites in Oak Ridge.

NSPS won the protective force services work under a five-year, $182 million contract announced in January. The company will guard the East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Joe L. Evins Federal Building, and part of the Oak Ridge Reservation. [Read more…]